U.S. patent application number 10/474007 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-17 for method for opening sealed containers for foodstuff products.
Invention is credited to Doglioni, Luca Majer.
Application Number | 20040115317 10/474007 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11447456 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040115317 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Doglioni, Luca Majer |
June 17, 2004 |
Method for opening sealed containers for foodstuff products
Abstract
Method for opening a sealed container having a foodstuff
therein, wherein the container comprises a plurality of walls, at
least one of which can be perforated. At least one of the walls is
opened from the inside towards the outside. It is also disclosed a
sealed container (10) for a foodstuff product, wherein the
container comprise a plurality of walls (1, 2, 3) one of which (2)
at least can be perforated from the inside towards the outside of
the container (10).
Inventors: |
Doglioni, Luca Majer;
(Milano, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
1100 N GLEBE ROAD
8TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22201-4714
US
|
Family ID: |
11447456 |
Appl. No.: |
10/474007 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
March 29, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB02/01019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/123 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 31/0673 20130101;
B65D 17/404 20180101; B65D 85/8049 20200501 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/123 |
International
Class: |
A23B 004/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 6, 2001 |
IT |
MI2001A000741 |
Claims
1. A method for opening a sealed container having a foodstuff
product therein, wherein said container comprises a plurality of
walls, at least one of which is pierceable, characterized in that
at least one of said walls is opened from the inside towards the
outside.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the opening of said at
least one wall of said container is realized through a piercing
element that perforates said at least one wall from the inside
towards the outside, upon perforation of another of said walls from
the outside towards the inside.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the opening of said at
least one wall from the inside towards the outside of said
container is realized through means contained in said
container.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said means for opening
said at least one wall from the inside towards the outside are
activated by a piercing element that perforates at least another
one of the walls of said container.
5. A method according to claim 3, wherein said means for opening
said at least one wall from the inside towards the outside are
activated by a pressurized fluid let in said container.
6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said
container is a disposable cartridge containing foodstuff for the
preparation of drinks.
7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said
container is a disposable cartridge sealed in a controlled
atmosphere or vacuum-packed, comprising at least a first pierceable
wall to allow a fluid to be let in the inside of the same and at
least a second pierceable wall to allow the evacuation of a drink
made up by said fluid and a suspension of a soluble foodstuff.
8. A method according to any of claims 1 through 6, wherein said
container is a disposable cartridge sealed in a controlled
atmosphere or vacuum-packed, comprising at least a first pierceable
wall to allow a fluid to be let in the inside of the same and at
least a second pierceable wall to allow the evacuation of a drink
obtained by filtration of said fluid through a fresh ground
foodstuff.
9. A sealed container for a foodstuff product, comprising a
plurality of walls, at least one of which is pierceable,
characterized in that at least one of said walls comprises one or
more portions pierceable from the inside towards the outside of the
container.
10. A container according to claim 9, wherein said at least one
wall comprises at least a breaking portion axially aligned with
another breaking portion obtained on another of said walls to allow
a piercing element to perforate said at least one wall from the
inside towards the outside upon perforation of the other of said
walls from the outside towards the inside.
11. A container according to claim 9 or 10, wherein internal means
are provided to open said at least one wall from the inside towards
the outside.
12. A container according to claim 11, wherein said internal means
for opening said at least one wall from the inside towards the
outside are activated by a piercing element that perforates at
least another wall of said container.
13. A container according to claim 11, wherein said internal means
for opening said at least one wall from the inside towards the
outside are activated by the pressure of a fluid let in said
container and the product present therein.
14. A container according to any of claims 11 through 13, wherein
said internal means for opening said at least one wall comprise one
or more ducts to allow a fluid to flow in their inside.
15. A container according to any of claims 9 through 14,
characterized by consisting of a disposable sealed cartridge
containing a foodstuff product for the preparation of drinks.
16. A container according to any of claims 9 through 15,
characterized by consisting of a disposable sealed cartridge
comprising at least a first pierceable wall, to allow a fluid to be
let into the inside of the same, and at least a second pierceable
wall to allow the evacuation of a drink made up by said fluid and a
suspension of a soluble foodstuff product.
17. A container according to any of claims 9 through 15,
characterized by consisting of a disposable sealed cartridge
comprising at least a first pierceable wall, to allow a fluid to be
let into the inside of the same, and at least a second pierceable
wall to allow the evacuation of a drink obtained by filtration of
said fluid through a powder foodstuff product.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for opening sealed
foodstuff containers and in particular a method for opening
disposable cartridges containing, for instance, powder or ground
products intended for the preparation of drinks such as coffee, tea
or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] For the sake of clarity, reference will be explicitly made
in the following to the specific realization of containers shaped
as disposable cartridges for the preparation of drinks, being
understood that the principles of the present invention may be
applied to any type of sealed foodstuff containers to be opened to
release the contents thereof, or to allow mixing with other
products or substances, before or during the evacuation of the
contents from the same container.
[0003] At present, disposable cartridges for the preparation of
drinks are obtained from plastic materials, such as polyolefins
(e.g. polypropylene and polyethylene and/or copolymers thereof) or
coupled films of polyolefins and aluminium suitable for use in the
alimentary field, and are provided with one or more holes obtained
on at least a wall, for instance on the lid, to allow the inlet of
pressurized water during the utilization. For this reason,
cartridges are distributed in sealed packages, such as for instance
the so-called "blisters".
[0004] Thus, the cartridge is hermetically packaged between a
pre-formed tray from plastic material and a foil from plastics or
aluminium. The latter must be removed to allow the extraction of
the cartridge and its utilization in special dispensing machines
for the preparation of drinks.
[0005] However, such a solution is not easily suitable for the use
of said known cartridges even in automatic drink dispensers. In
fact, even if all the cartridges were removed from their package
and loaded in the automatic dispenser, a fresh product (e.g. ground
coffee) might deteriorate, and a soluble powder product might
disperse or loose anyhow its characteristics in the time.
[0006] In any case, even if one should consider the normal
utilization of the cartridges packaged with hand-loaded dispensers,
the problem still remain of the package, that is a waste to be
disposed off.
[0007] Therefore, the need is felt of providing a container, and
more particularly a cartridge containing products for the
preparation of drinks, that is easily adaptable to both automatic
and hand-loaded dispensers.
[0008] Taking into account the known art, the problem remains of
removing the hermetic seal of the cartridge only at the time of its
actual use in a drink-preparation dispenser.
[0009] Sealed packaged cartridges are also known, that are to be
perforated at the time of their utilization. However the
perforation of a cartridge at the time of its utilization is
carried out by means of one or more lances or piercing elements
that penetrate the cartridge from the outside to the inside.
[0010] The breaking of the container walls or their perforation may
cause the release of particles of said cartridge that precipitate
in the inside of the container, mixing with the foodstuff. As a
consequence, the provided drink may also be disagreeable and have a
poorly appetizing aspect.
[0011] Therefore, object of the present invention is to overcome
the aforesaid limits of the known art, by providing a new type of
container and more particularly a new type of cartridge, as well as
a method for opening the same.
[0012] Within this scope, an object of the present invention is to
provide a method allowing to open a sealed container at the time of
its actual utilization.
[0013] More particularly, object of the present invention is to
provide a method allowing to couple the opening of the cartridge
and the dispensing of the drink.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
cartridge for the preparation of drinks and a method allowing to
open the same when using either an automatic dispenser or a
hand-loaded dispenser for the preparation of drinks.
[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
disposable cartridge suitable to be sealed in a controlled
atmosphere or vacuum-packed, without necessarily employing further
cartridge packages.
[0016] Still a further object of the present invention is to
provide a method and a disposable cartridge allowing to prevent, or
at least to limit as much as possible, the possible release of
cartridge particles during its opening.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] These objects are achieved by he present invention that
relates to a method for opening a sealed container having a
foodstuff therein, wherein the container comprises a plurality of
walls, at least one of which can be perforated, characterized in
that at least one of the walls opens from the inside towards the
outside.
[0018] The invention also relates to a sealed container for a
foodstuff product, wherein the container comprise a plurality of
walls, one of which at least can be perforated, characterized in
that at least one of the walls comprises one or more portions that
can be perforated from the inside towards the outside of the
container.
[0019] According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the
invention, the opening of the wall from the inside towards the
outside is made through means contained in said container.
[0020] These means internal to the container can be activated by a
piercing element that perforates at least another one of the
container walls, or they may be activated by a pressurized flow let
in the container. Besides, these means internal to the container
may advantageously comprise one or more ducts allowing the flow of
a fluid in their inside.
[0021] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the container
is made up by a disposable cartridge sealed in a controlled
atmosphere or vacuum-packed, that comprises at least a first
pierceable wall, to allow a fluid to be let into the same, and at
least a second pierceable wall, to allow the evacuation of a drink
composed by the fluid and a suspension of a soluble foodstuff
product.
[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
container is made up by a disposable cartridge, sealed in a
controlled atmosphere or vacuum-packed, that comprises at least a
first pierceable wall, to allow a fluid to be let into the same,
and at least a second pierceable wall, to allow the evacuation of a
drink obtained by filtration of the fluid through a fresh ground
foodstuff product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Further characteristics and advantages of the present
invention will be more evident thanks to the following description
reported by way of non limiting example with reference to the
attached schematic drawings, wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a section view of a cartridge intended for
containing products for the preparation of drinks according to a
possible embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIGS. 2A and 2B are plan views of some possible
configurations of the breaking lines of a cartridge realized
according to the present invention;
[0026] FIGS. 3A and 3B are elevation section views of some possible
embodiments of the cartridge opening systems of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a section view of another embodiment of a
cartridge according to the present invention:
[0028] FIG. 5 is an elevation section view of an opening system of
the cartridge shown in FIG. 4;
[0029] FIGS. 6 to 8 show some details of a cartridge and a system
for the opening of the same according to an embodiment of the
invention wherein the cartridge content is a ground product;
and
[0030] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a cartridge realized in the same manner
as the system of FIGS. 6 to 8, but intended for containing soluble
products.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0031] Cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 1 essentially comprises a side
wall 1, an upper wall 2 and a lower wall 3.
[0032] Walls 2 and 3 can be perforated in correspondence of the
respective breaking lines 4 an 5 that are aligned with respect to
axis 6 of the cartridge. The type of cartridge shown in FIG. 1 is
especially suitable for soluble products.
[0033] While the breaking lines 4 and 5 may be realized in this
case according to any configuration, the adoption of breaking lines
like the ones shown, for instance, in configurations 200 and 300 of
the respective FIGS. 2A and 2B is particularly advantageous.
[0034] The breaking lines 201 and 301 are developed according to a
polar sequence that bridges in the figures a whole round angle
around a central point, indicated by 202 in FIG. 2A, respectively
302 in FIG. 2B, belonging in the trajectory of the piercing
element.
[0035] These configurations of the breaking lines allow to optimise
the container opening process thanks to the gradual breaking along
said breaking lines, with a distribution of the tearing strength
from the point where the detachment of the parts starts, which
needs not to exactly coincide with the central point towards the
periphery along the respective breaking lines. These configurations
have the function of limiting as much as possible the fragmentation
of the breaking profile, with the ensuing release of particles of
the material which the container is made up from.
[0036] FIGS. 3A and 3B show some examples of the opening of the
cartridge shown in FIG. 1. With respect to the opening systems of
the known containers, these systems allow to perforate cartridge 1
not only on the bottom wall 3 in order to ensure the delivery of
the drink made up by a suspension fluid (e.g. water) and the
soluble product contained in the cartridge, but also on the upper
wall 2, so that the suspension fluid can be let in.
[0037] In the systems of FIGS. 3A and 3B, a piercing element 15 is
provided suitable to entirely perforate firstly the wall 3 of the
cartridge, from the outside towards the inside, and afterwards wall
2, or lid, from the inside towards the outside.
[0038] The piercing element 15 is provided with an end 16 that can
perforate the upper wall 2 of cartridge 1, with a set of ducts 17
intended for putting in fluid communication the inside of cartridge
1 with a pressurized fluid, for instance water at a suitable
temperature, coming from the dispensing plate 18 abutting against
the upper wall 2 of the cartridge.
[0039] A gasket 8 engaged in a special seat of plate 18 may be
included to ensure the seal between plate 18 and the upper wall 2
of cartridge 1. In this manner, it is possible to combine the
cartridge opening system with the drink dispensing system.
[0040] In the embodiment of the opening system of FIG. 3A, a
supporting element 9 is included that bears the bottom wall 3 of
cartridge 1. This solution is efficaciously suitable for use in
dispensing drinks obtained from high water-solubility products.
[0041] With low solubility products it is also possible to utilize
an opening and dispensing system having no cartridge-supporting
elements, as shown in FIG. 3B.
[0042] Advantageously, cartridge 20 shown in FIG. 4 comprises means
contained in the inside of said cartridge that allow to perforate
the upper wall 22 thereof. Cartridge 20 also comprises a side wall
21 and a lower wall 23.
[0043] As represented herein, cartridge 20 is suitable, for
instance, for the preparation of drinks from fresh ground products,
for instance coffee or the like, but it is worth stressing that
simple modifications allow its use also for soluble products.
[0044] In this embodiment, cartridge 20 comprises in its inside a
not fully compacted ground product 100, as well as an internal
plunger 28 having a section of the same shape and size as that of
cartridge 20. The upper wall of plunger 28 is provided with holes
29 to allow the flow of the drink obtained by filtration of
pressure-heated water through product 100.
[0045] In the middle of plunger 28 a pin 82 is provided that
extends along the whole height of cartridge 20, such that end 26 of
pin 82 abuts internally against the upper wall 22 of cartridge 20
in correspondence of a breaking portion defined by indentations 24.
In the same manner as the embodiment previously shown, a breaking
portion is obtained on the lower wall 23 through indentations 25,
such that both breaking portions are axially aligned with each
other.
[0046] Besides, the upper end 26 of rod 82 is provided with a
plurality of ducts 27 that allow to feed pressurized water in the
inside of cartridge 20. Under rod 82 a seat 86 is obtained wherein
end 16' of the piercing element 15 engages.
[0047] In fact, as shown in FIG. 5, the opening of the lower wall
23 of cartridge 20 is made by a piercing element 15 which
perforates wall 23 in correspondence of indentation 25 at the time
when the dispensing plate 18, provided with gasket 8, is pressed
against the upper wall 22 of cartridge 20.
[0048] End 16' of the piercing element 15 abuts in seat 86 provided
under plunger 28, pushing it upwards until it perforates the upper
wall 22 of cartridge 20 in correspondence of indentations 24. In
this way, besides allowing the almost simultaneous opening of walls
22 and 23, the ground product 100 contained in cartridge 20 is
further compacted. Ducts 27 provided at the end 26 of rod 82 allow
therefore to let in the inside of cartridge the pressurized water
dispensed by plate 18.
[0049] FIGS. 6 to 8 show another embodiment of the opening system
of a cartridge 30 intended for containing a fresh ground product.
Also in this embodiment, means in the inside of the container are
provided that perforate a cartridge wall.
[0050] More particularly, cartridge 30 comprises a plunger 38
including a lance 36 whose tip faces the lower wall 33 of cartridge
30, and which may possibly have a flow duct. When cartridge 30 is
inserted under the dispensing plate 108 (FIG. 6), one or more
lances 106, associated to said plate and provided with ducts for
letting pressurized water in, perforate the upper wall 32 of
cartridge 30.
[0051] As soon as water is let into the inside of the cartridge,
the pressure exercised by water let in through lances 106 and the
compacted product contained in the inside of the cartridge push
plunger 38 downwards until it perforates the lower wall 33 by means
of lance 36 (FIG. 7).
[0052] The drink may be therefore dispensed through holes 39
(enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 8) obtained in the wall of
plunger 38, as well as through the internal duct of lance 36,
should this be provided for.
[0053] The same principle described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8
for ground products intended for the processes of dispensing by
filtration may also be used for the opening and the dispensing of
soluble products.
[0054] In fact, as is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a cartridge 40 for
soluble products contains in its inside a plunger 48 having a lance
46 whose tip is oriented towards the lower wall 43 of cartridge 40.
In this case, lance 46 is necessarily provided with at least a duct
47 to allow the evacuation of the drink.
[0055] Also in this case, the opening of the upper wall 42 of
cartridge 40 takes place through the lowering of the dispensing
plate 108 on cartridge 40, whereby lances 106 perforate wall 42 to
allow pressurized water to be let into the inside of cartridge
(FIG. 9).
[0056] The pressure exercised by water let in cartridge 42 and the
product contained therein lowers plunger 48 until the latter causes
the perforation of the lower wall 43 by lance 46.
[0057] The opening systems and the cartridges shown in FIGS. 6 to
10 offer a better cleanness of the dispensing machine as they allow
to expel upon each dispensing operation, both the cartridge
lacerated part and the perforated part.
[0058] The cartridges according to the present invention may be
realized with the common plastic products already known and
utilized by the known art, for instance polyolefins (e.g.
polypropylene and polyethylene and/or copolymers thereof), or with
coupled films from polyolefins and aluminium suitable for use in
the alimentary field, according to the requirements of each
particular application.
* * * * *